Masud Gharahkhani
Masud Gharahkhani | |
---|---|
President of the Storting | |
Assumed office 25 November 2021 | |
Monarch | Harald V |
Prime Minister | Jonas Gahr Støre |
Preceded by | Eva Kristin Hansen |
Member of the Storting | |
Assumed office 1 October 2017 | |
Constituency | Buskerud |
Deputy Member of the Storting | |
In office 1 October 2009 – 30 September 2013 | |
Constituency | Buskerud |
Personal details | |
Born | Tehran, Iran | 22 September 1982
Political party | Labour |
Spouse | Saloumeh Abbasian |
Masud Gharahkhani (Persian: مسعود قرهخانی; born 22 September 1982 in Tehran) is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party from the city of Drammen. He is currently an MP for Buskerud since 2017, and the President of the Storting since 2021.
Early life and education
Born in Tehran, Iran, Masud Gharahkhani emigrated to Norway with his family in 1987 and grew up in Skotselv in Øvre Eiker. His family is originally from Piranshahr, Iran[1]. His father is politician and trade unionist Bijan Gharakhani. After attending Rosthaug senior high school, he enrolled at Gjøvik University College studying Radiography, graduating as a Radiologic technologist, and has been employed by Blefjell Hospital. He has also been employed as secretary-general for the Buskerud Labour party.
Political career
Gharahkhani was first elected as a deputy representative to the parliament in the 2009 election.[2] He received a standing ovation at the Labour Party national convention in 2011 for his speech about his journey from Tehran to Drammen.[3] Hoping to be the first mayor in Norway with a non-Western immigrant background, Gharahkani was the Labour party candidate for the mayor of Drammen in the 2011 local election. He eventually lost to popular incumbent Tore Opdal Hansen from the Conservative Party.[4] His campaign was marred by speculation in the press about his marriage to a woman in Iran. Gharahkani however blamed his opponents for attempting to smear him.[5]
Prime minister Jens Stoltenberg has called Gharahkhani "an extraordinary political talent" and "a success story in Norwegian society."[5]
President of the Storting
On 24 November 2021, the Labour Party nominated Gharahkhani to succeed Eva Kristin Hansen following her resignation after a parliamentary housing scandal.[6] He was formally elected the day after in a written vote. He is the first foreign-born Storting president.[7]
Immigrant relations
In an incident where teachers at an elementary school in Drammen banned its pupils from wearing traditional Christmas costumes at an annual Christmas play, Gharahkhani publicly condemned the school for its actions and reiterated the importance of Norwegian culture and tradition in schools. When asked about his personal experiences, he explained: "I always participated in Christmas activities in school and I would recommend it to my children."[8] Commentators praised him for his openness and tolerance.[9] The head principal of the school later apologized for the affair.[citation needed]
A hardline supporter of immigrant integration, Gharahkhani has stated that immigrant children have to learn to speak Norwegian or risk being taken by Norwegian Child Welfare Services, calling failing to teach children Norwegian "unacceptable parental neglect" as it was an absolute prerequisite for succeeding in the Norwegian society.[10]
Personal life
Gharahkhani married his wife Saloumeh "Sally" Abbasian in a private ceremony in Turkey in 2010. They currently live in the Åssiden neighborhood in Drammen.[5][11] They also have a son.[12]
References
- ^ Piranshahr politician became speaker of the Norwegian parliament
- ^ Fiskvik, Eli Pauline (2009). "Biografi: Gharahkhani, Masud". Representanter og Komiteer (in Norwegian). Stortinget.no. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
- ^ Stående applaus for Drammens ordførerkandidat Archived 2012-05-27 at archive.today
- ^ Masud Gharahkhani kan bli første ordfører med innvandrerbakgrunn
- ^ a b c Andersen, Mads (2011-04-09). "Ap-Yndling: Kjærligheten brukt i en svertekampanje". Vg.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2012-07-15.
- ^ "Støre stolt over valget av Gharahkhani" (in Norwegian). ABC Nyheter. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ "Masud Gharahkhani valgt som stortingspresident" (in Norwegian). ABC Nyheter. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ Muslimsk Ap-leder i Drammen ut mot jule- og nisseluenekt
- ^ Nissekonflikten i jule-Drammen, VG 15. desember 2011 s. 2
- ^ Nordahl, Bjørn Olav (2011-09-02). "Ap-topp vil bruke barnevernet mot invanndrerfamilier". Nrk.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2012-07-15.
- ^ Køsling, Ingvild-Anita Velde (2011-09-13). "Jeg er ingen slagen mann". Nrk.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2012-07-15.
- ^ "Tok til tårene da sønnen ble innstilt som stortingspresident" (in Norwegian). NRK. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.